This research is to explore the perfusion time-intensity curve parameters of a lung adenocarcinoma xenograft into nude mouse model with contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS); and to investigate the angiogenesis features of tumor at different growth time. Twenty one lung adenocarcinoma xenografted nude mice were divided into three groups and inculcated with human lung adenocarcinoa. Time window for examining CEUS were respectively in 7-day, 14-day and 28-day. The perfusion parameters including rise time (RT), peak intensity (PI), area under the curve (AUC) of lung tumor were obtained on CEUS images by using off-line software Q lab. Immunohistochemically staining for CD34 was used to observe the microvessel density (MVD).The 7-day group had the highest AUC and PI; AUC and PI of 14-day and 28-day group decreased gradually (P < 0.05). RT was increased as tumor growth. In tumor with necrosis, AUC and PI of non-necrosis part were also larger than necrosis part (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemically staining for CD34 of all tumors reflected that the density of microvessels in necrosis tumor was significantly higher than those without necrosis (7.50±3.44 vs.12.44±5.74, P=0.034). Pearson correlation indicated that PI was positively related with MVD (r=0.668, P=0.008). Lung adenocarcinoma perfusion characteristic can be accessed from time-intensity curve parameters by using noninvasively and non-radiative contrast enhanced ultrasonography. Time-intensity curve parameters including AUC, PI and RT may reflect tumor angiogenesis.
The aim of this study was to clarify characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients associated with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) angiography. We retrospectively analyzed DSCT angiography of 99 consecutive patients with TOF. In addition to typical CT features of TOF in all patients, the DSCT angiography showed 27 cases (27.27%) of atrial septal defect, 14 cases (14.14%) of patents ductus arteriosus, 11 cases (11.11%) of bicuspid pulmonary valve, 18 cases (18.18%) of congenital coronary artery malformation, 22 cases (22.22%) of right aortic arch, 12 cases (12.12%) of persistent left superior vena cava, 8 cases (8.08%) of retro-aortic innominate vein and 9 cases (9.09%) of pulmonary venous anomalous. DSCT is capable of displaying anatomical characteristics of cardiovascular malformation in patients with TOF.
Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a membrane protein which is attached to the cellular external membrane. The uPAR expression can be observed both in tumor cells and in tumor-associated stromal cells. Thus, in the present study, the human amino-terminal fragment (hATF), as a targeting element to uPAR, is used to conjugate to the surface of superparamagnetic iron nanoparticle (SPIO). Flowcytometry was used to examine the uPAR expression in different tumor cell lines. The specificity of hATF-SPIO was verified by Prussian blue stain and cell phantom test. The imaging properties of hATF-SPIO were confirmed in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of uPAR-elevated colon tumor. Finally, the distribution of hATF-SPIO in tumor tissue was confirmed by pathological staining. Results showed that the three cells in which we screened, presented different expression characteristics, i.e., Hela cells strongly expressed uPAR, HT29 cells moderately expressed uPAR, but Lovo cells didn't express uPAR. In vitro, after incubating with Hela cells, hATF-SPIO could specifically combined to and be subsequently internalized by uPAR positive cells, which could be observed via Prussian blue staining. Meanwhile T2WI signal intensity of Hela cells, after incubation with targeted probe, significantly decreased, and otherwise no obvious changes in Lovo cells both by Prussian blue staining and MRI scans. In vivo, hATF-SPIO could be systematically delivered to HT29 xenograft and accumulated in the tumor tissue which was confirmed by Prussian Blue stain compared to Lovo xenografts. Twenty-four hours after injection of targeting probe, the signal intensity of HT29 xenografts was lower than Lovo ones which was statistically significant. This targeting nanoparticles enabled not only in vitro specifically combining to uPAR positive cells but also in vivo imaging of uPAR moderately elevated colon cancer lesions.